The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen

Dr. Jen
  • 5.0 (71)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

The Integrative Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jen Pfleghaar. Dr. Jen is a double board certified physician (Emergency Medicine and Integrative Medicine). This podcast is meant to educate and empower about important health topics. Dr.Jen's passion is to get to the root cause of disease and prevent illness.  Dr. Jen will feature guests who are experts in their fields and experiences in all things related to Integrative Medicine. From Hashimoto's to Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Jen and her guests will cover it all! Dr. Jen's special interests include thyroid, hashimotos, PCOS, hormones, estrogen dominance, gut health, peptides, supplements, mold illness, CIRS, Lyme disease, and all Invisible illnesses.Dr. Jen Pfleghaar is a double board certified physician in Integrative Medicine and Emergency Medicine. She attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to residency at St Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center for Emergency Medicine and spent one year flying with Life Flight as a flight physician. Dr. Jen now works at local emergency rooms in the community and virtually practicing Integrative Medicine. She is a graduate from The University of Arizona: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine's fellowship program. Dr. Jen loves speaking and lectures to physicians at conferences including the AOA (American Osteopathic Association). She hosts the podcast The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen. Her own health history of Hashimoto’s (which is now in remission) sparked her interest in Integrative Medicine. She is very passionate about helping patients with chronic disease and teaching them now to let the body heal itself.  She is a published author of the book- Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe: A Beginner's Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle. She is a board member for IDA- Invisible Disabilities Association. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and four children, being in nature, weightlifting, caring for her chickens on her minifarm in Tennessee and reading the Bible. For more information on Dr. Jen please visit: www.healthybydrjen.com 

  1. 3d ago

    Why Perimenopause Can Trigger Histamine Problems 

    Why do some women suddenly react to wine, leftovers, fermented foods, heat, supplements, or even medications they used to tolerate? In Part 3 of this solo mast cell series, Dr. Jen explains how shifting hormones in perimenopause can lower the threshold for histamine reactions and mast cell activation. She breaks down how estrogen may increase mast cell reactivity, why declining progesterone can reduce some of the body’s calming support, and how poor sleep, stress, cortisol, mold exposure, gut dysfunction, and hormone fluctuations can create a frustrating feedback loop. Dr. Jen also explains the difference between histamine intolerance and MCAS, when DAO may be helpful, why restrictive diets are not always the answer, and how women can begin looking for patterns instead of fearing every symptom. PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  2. Sep 22

    The Heavy Metals Hiding in Your Body 

    You do not have to work in a factory to accumulate heavy metals and environmental chemicals. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with integrative physician Dr. Megan Strauchman to discuss how mercury, arsenic, lead, nickel, glyphosate, and other environmental exposures may build up in the body over time and interfere with normal physiology. Dr. Strauchman explains where these exposures may come from, why heavy metals often accumulate in tissues rather than showing up clearly on a basic test, and how she uses provoked urine testing to evaluate body burden. They also discuss chelation, chemical testing, cookware, contaminated food and water, rapid fat loss, GLP-1 medications, hormone disruption, thyroid health, and why detoxification should be approached carefully rather than as a one-size-fits-all cleanse. Dr. Megan Strauchman, DO, is an integrative medicine physician and Medical Director of the Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Center in Michigan. Originally trained in obstetrics and gynecology, she shifted into holistic and root-cause medicine after becoming interested in bioidentical hormones, nutritional medicine, and environmental health.  Her clinical work focuses on hormone optimization, thyroid health, environmental medicine, heavy metal assessment, chemical exposures, IV therapies, tick-borne illness, and strategies designed to reduce overall toxic burden. Her background in women’s health gives her a unique perspective on the relationship between hormones, inflammation, environmental exposures, and chronic illness. Website: https://nwprc.com  PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  3. Sep 15

    Yeast, Parasites, and the Root Causes Most Doctors Miss 

    True integrative medicine is not about adding a few supplements to a conventional treatment plan. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. John Trowbridge to discuss what more than four decades of clinical experience have taught him about chronic illness, functional diagnostics, and root-cause care.  Dr. Trowbridge explains why physicians must keep asking “why” long after a diagnosis is made, how gut dysfunction, yeast overgrowth, parasites, toxins, mitochondrial stress, and cellular membrane damage may contribute to complex symptoms, and why personalized medicine cannot be reduced to a one-size-fits-all protocol.  They also explore his early work on The Yeast Syndrome, his concept of “deep blood fungus,” the importance of supporting the body’s defense systems, and why the best integrative practitioners remain lifelong students. Dr. John Trowbridge, MD, is a pioneer in biological and integrative medicine with more than 40 years of clinical experience. Educated in biological sciences at Stanford University and medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, he later pursued postgraduate surgical training and advanced education in immunology, preventive medicine, and nutrition. Dr. Trowbridge is the best-selling author of The Yeast Syndrome and has spent decades studying chronic illness, functional diagnostics, heavy metal toxicology, fungal burden, parasites, mitochondrial health, and personalized medicine. Through his practice, Life Celebrating Health near Houston, Texas, he focuses on identifying the biological blocks that may prevent the body from returning to normal function. Website: https://healthchoicesnow.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1800fixpain Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1800fixpain YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7q7NDb-MxBBmjT3M9N80Og LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-parks-trowbridge-md-70691ba   PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  4. Sep 8

    Why Mast Cells Keep You Stuck in Fight or Flight 

    If you have mast cell symptoms and constantly feel stuck in fight or flight, the connection may be more physical than you realize. In Part 2 of this three-part solo series, Dr. Jen explains how mast cells and the nervous system communicate with each other, creating a feedback loop that can drive histamine release, anxiety, poor sleep, palpitations, hypervigilance, inflammation, and increased sensitivity to everyday triggers. She breaks down how stress signaling through CRH and the autonomic nervous system can influence mast cell behavior, why mast cell mediators can further stimulate nearby nerves, and how mold exposure and chronic inflammation may keep the system on high alert. Dr. Jen also explains why nervous system regulation, sleep, stable blood sugar, movement, breathing, community, and reducing ongoing triggers should be part of a root-cause approach to mast cell activation. PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  5. Sep 1

    Birth to Menopause: Why Your Microbiome Matters 

    Your microbiome starts shaping health from the very beginning of life. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Tiny Health founder Cheryl Sew Hoy about how birth mode, breastfeeding, antibiotics, diet, and parental gut health can influence an infant’s developing microbiome and potentially affect immune function later in life. Cheryl explains why babies need a very different microbial balance than adults, the importance of bifidobacteria during infancy, and how low levels of beneficial bacteria may allow less desirable microbes to take over. They also explore adult gut diversity, butyrate production, Akkermansia, fiber intake, carnivore and vegan diets, and why the goal is not always to “kill the bad bugs.” The conversation then shifts to vaginal health, where Cheryl explains the importance of Lactobacillus crispatus, how hormones can change the vaginal microbiome, and why testing may help women better understand changes during postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.  Cheryl Sew Hoy is a tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder and CEO of Tiny Health, a precision health platform offering at-home shotgun metagenomic testing for infant, maternal, and adult microbiomes. A Cornell-trained engineer and serial entrepreneur, Cheryl founded Tiny Health after searching for better answers about her own daughter’s early health risks following a C-section birth. Her work now focuses on helping families understand how early microbial exposures, breastfeeding, diet, gut health, and vaginal health may influence immune development and long-term wellness. Through Tiny Health, she brings advanced microbiome testing and personalized recommendations into the home, helping parents and adults better understand the microbial ecosystems that support health across the lifespan. Website: https://www.tinyhealth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylsewhoy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyeoh   X: https://x.com/cherylyeoh PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  6. Aug 25

    Why Iodine May Be the Missing Piece in Thyroid Health

    Why are thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, and certain chronic illnesses becoming more common? In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. David Brownstein about iodine deficiency, thyroid health, environmental toxins, natural hormone therapy, and the limitations of symptom-focused medicine. Dr. Brownstein shares how his father’s dramatic improvement with thyroid and testosterone treatment changed the course of his medical career, eventually leading him to investigate iodine’s role throughout the body. They discuss how bromide and fluoride may interfere with iodine, why iodized salt may not provide enough for every tissue, how iodine status can be assessed, and why individualized, root-cause care remains central to long-term health.  Dr. David Brownstein, MD, is a board-certified family physician, Medical Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and a leading voice in integrative medicine. After recognizing that conventional medications often failed to address the underlying causes of chronic illness, he shifted his practice toward nutrition, hormone balance, thyroid care, environmental medicine, and individualized treatment. Dr. Brownstein is the author of numerous books, including Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, and is widely known for his clinical work involving iodine, natural thyroid therapy, salt, hormonal health, and environmental toxins. Website: https://www.drbrownstein.com PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  7. Aug 18

    The Science of Cannabis, Pain, and the Endocannabinoid System 

    Cannabis is often discussed as either a miracle remedy or a dangerous drug, but the reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with naturopathic doctor and cannabinoid researcher Dr. Michelle Sexton about the endocannabinoid system, medical cannabis, chronic pain, sleep, inflammation, menopause, and opioid reduction. They explore why dose, age, product quality, delivery method, and THC potency all matter, how cannabis differs from CBD, and why modern high-potency products are not the same as the cannabis used decades ago. Dr. Sexton also shares practical guidance on starting low, avoiding unnecessary exposure during brain development and pregnancy, and using cannabis as a carefully considered medical tool rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Michelle Sexton, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor, researcher, author, and internationally recognized expert on cannabinoid pharmacology and the endocannabinoid system. She completed her naturopathic medical training at Bastyr University and an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington, where she studied cannabis, immune function, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Dr. Sexton has also served as an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego and has worked with patients through the university’s Center for Integrative Medicine. Her work focuses on translating cannabinoid science into responsible, practical guidance for pain, sleep, inflammation, women’s health, and opioid reduction.  Website: https://www.msextonnd.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sexton-a40408b   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msextonnd   PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

  8. Aug 11

    Mast Cells Explained: Your Body’s Overactive Alarm System 

    In this solo episode, Dr. Jen introduces mast cells and mast cell activation syndrome, also known as MCAS. She explains that mast cells are protective immune cells found wherever the body meets the outside environment, including the skin, gut, airways, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system. When these cells detect danger, they release histamine, tryptase, cytokines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other mediators. When that response becomes excessive or inappropriate, symptoms may appear across multiple systems, including rashes, food reactions, reflux, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, dizziness, palpitations, congestion, and POTS-like symptoms. Dr. Jen also explains why the goal should not be to suppress mast cells forever, but to identify why they no longer feel that the body is safe. PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/ CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavorites FOLLOW ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom FTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored. DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

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About

The Integrative Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jen Pfleghaar. Dr. Jen is a double board certified physician (Emergency Medicine and Integrative Medicine). This podcast is meant to educate and empower about important health topics. Dr.Jen's passion is to get to the root cause of disease and prevent illness.  Dr. Jen will feature guests who are experts in their fields and experiences in all things related to Integrative Medicine. From Hashimoto's to Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Jen and her guests will cover it all! Dr. Jen's special interests include thyroid, hashimotos, PCOS, hormones, estrogen dominance, gut health, peptides, supplements, mold illness, CIRS, Lyme disease, and all Invisible illnesses.Dr. Jen Pfleghaar is a double board certified physician in Integrative Medicine and Emergency Medicine. She attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to residency at St Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center for Emergency Medicine and spent one year flying with Life Flight as a flight physician. Dr. Jen now works at local emergency rooms in the community and virtually practicing Integrative Medicine. She is a graduate from The University of Arizona: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine's fellowship program. Dr. Jen loves speaking and lectures to physicians at conferences including the AOA (American Osteopathic Association). She hosts the podcast The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen. Her own health history of Hashimoto’s (which is now in remission) sparked her interest in Integrative Medicine. She is very passionate about helping patients with chronic disease and teaching them now to let the body heal itself.  She is a published author of the book- Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe: A Beginner's Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle. She is a board member for IDA- Invisible Disabilities Association. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and four children, being in nature, weightlifting, caring for her chickens on her minifarm in Tennessee and reading the Bible. For more information on Dr. Jen please visit: www.healthybydrjen.com 

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